Device for closing or capping vessels and similar articles.



M. DICKINSON.

DEVICE FOR CLOSING 0R GAPPING VESSELS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 2. 1912.

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MAUDE DICKINSON, OF BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.

DEVICE FOR CLOSING OR CAPPING VESSELS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 1912.

Application filed August 2, 1912. Serial No. 712,961.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAUDE DioKiNsoN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Eastern House, Marine Parade, Brighton, in the county of Sussex, England, have invented certain new and useful improvements in or Relating to Devices for Closing or Capping Vessels and Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for closing or capping vessels and similar articles, the object being to provide a device of such a character that by means of an inserted disk or similar addition the cover or cap may be rendered antiseptic or disinfecting; the device is moreover capable of acting in a similar manner to a fumigator the disinfecting property of the disk being disseminated freely in the vicinity of the device.

According to this invention, the device comprises a ring-like or cylindrical part formed or provided with resilient or yielding members and adapted for application to the vessel, instrument or article with a yielding pressure and provided with a perforated plate or a pair of perforated plates,

the arrangement being such that a space is afforded for the insertion laterally of a disinfecting clisk between the end of the aforesaid ring like part and the perforated plate or between the latter and an inner perforated plate arranged across the ring-like part. The device is provided with a suitable yielding packing whereby a yielding and comfortable fitting of the device is obtained.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figures 1 and 2 are representations in transverse section of the device applied by way of example to the mouthpiece of a telephone transmitter. Fig. 3 is a face view showing a form of perforated plate for use with the device.

a is the ring-like or cylindrical part and Z) the resilient or yielding members formed or provided thereon. The said members are so arranged that when the ring-like or cylindrical part is placed upon the neck of the Vessel or similar article, in the case illustrated the mouthpiece of a telephone transmitter, the attachment will be effected with a yielding pressure the lip of the vessel or similar article engaging the yielding members and thereby securing the ring-like or cylindrical part from accidental detachment. One end of the said ring-like or cylindrical part a is formed with a flange or inwardly projecting ledge c and the opening is covered by a perforated plate (Z disposed a short distance from the aforesaid flange or ledge. The distance of separation of the perforated plate and flange or ledge is maintained by means of a distance piece e which extends around the said plate for a suitable portion of the circumference (see the broken line in Fig. 3) thereby leaving a narrow opening or slit through which a disk or similar device f saturated or impregnated with some suitable antiseptic or disinfectant may be inserted so as to occupy the space between the perforated plate (Z and the flange 0. Instead of the flange or ledge 0 there may be an inner perforated plate cl, but ordinarily the flange will afford sufficient support for the disk and only one perforated plate, as shown at (Z, Fig. 3, will be found necessary.

To enable the device to seat yieldingly and comfortably upon the month of the vessel or other article the angle formed by the junction of the ring-like or cylindrical part a with the flange or ledge c or inner perforated plate (Z may be provided with felt or other suitable soft or yielding material (Fig. 2); or a piece of spring Wire or metal-such as indicated at 9, Fig. 1may be fitted into the said angle, one end of the wire being soldered or secured in the angle while the other part of the wire is unsecured.

The device may be used in connection with various vessels or instruments. \Vhen, however, it is used to close or cap a telephone transmitter, so as to afford a means of disinfecting the same, the instrument is always in condition for use even though the disk f be in position in the aforesaid space between the perforated plate (Z and the flange 0 or inner perforated plate d as it is found that the disk and perforated plate or plates offer no obstruction or impediment to the voice when transmitting speech. By means of the resilient or yielding mem bers and the soft or yielding packing or material a secure fitting of the device upon the vessel or similar article is obtained. Owing to the emanation from the disk of the disinfecting medium with which the said disk is saturated or impregnated, the device is capable of acting in a similar manner to a fumigator, the air in the vicinity of the device being charged with the disinfecting vapor so that contagion is avoided. In this connection the device may however be used by putt-ing a lighted disk in a shallow receptacle and placing the device over the same so that the smoke or vapor exudes through the perforations.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a closing or capping device the combination of a ring-like member, means for securing the same to a vessel or instrument, a perforated plate secured to one side of said ring-like member, a slot adjacent to said perforated plate and a disinfecting disk adapted to be inserted in said slot so as to assume a position contiguous to said perforated plate.

2. In a closing or capping device the combination of a cylindrical member, means for securing the same to a vessel or instrument,

a perforated plate secured to one end of said cylindrical member, a slot adjacent to said perforated plate and a disinfecting disk adapted to be inserted in said slot so as to assume a position contiguous to said perforated plate.

3. In a closing or capping device the combination of a cylindrical member, a flexible gripping means on said member for engaging with a vessel or instrument a perforated plate secured to one end of said cylindrical member, a slot adjacent to said perforated plate, a disinfecting disk adapted to be inserted in said slot, and means for retaining said disk in a position contiguous to said perforated plate.

4. In a closing or capping device the combination of a cylindrical member, a flexible gripping meanson said member for engaging with a vessel or instrument, a pair of perforated plates secured to said member so as to form a space or chamber between them, a disinfecting disk in said space or chamber, and a. slot opening into said space or chamber for admitting the disinfecting disk.

5. In a closing or capping device the combination of a ring-like member, a flexible 5O gripping means on said member for engaging with a vessel or instrument, a pair of perforated plates secured to said member with a space or chamber between them, a disinfecting disk in said space or chamber and a slot opening into the space or chamber for admitting the disinfecting disk.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MAUDE DICKINSON.

\Vitnesses: I i CHAS. J. FALooNER, T. SELBY WVARDLE.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cent Washington, I). G. 

